A non-mandatory evacuation has been issued for citizens east of Weldona along the South Platte River in Morgan County.

The town of Orchard in northwestern Morgan County has been ordered to be evacuated.

Highway 144 is now closed at US 34 (northwest of Wiggins) due to flooding.

An update was received from Sheriff Jim Crone early this morning:

He said while flood-level waters had not yet reached western Morgan County, as of midnight, levels were higher than forcast in Kersey and still rising. The river there was at 17 feet, 4 feet higher than the forecast for this morning and considered major flooding. It broke the previous historic record of 11.7 feet and the water had not yet crested.

Weldona was at 6.6 feet at midnight and was forcast to reach 11.5 feet. The sheriff expects a higher level to reached there.

"I'm told it takes water from Kersey approximately 24 hours to reach the Orchard area," Crone said. "Therefore we have a little time before water is expected to be significantly hier in the Orchard area, a few hours until Goodrich, a few hours to Weldona, etc."

Flooding in the Greeley-Evans area appeared to be worse than anticipated as well.

Flood stage levels in Morgan County were not expected until late morning or early afternoon.

Notifications regarding Morgan County Quality Water District were intended for people living north of the rive only and meant as an advisory should water lines taking Quality Water across the river to the north be disrupted by the flood.

A planning meeting is being held this morning with city, county and state law enforcement agencies, along with county fire departments, EMS, emergency management, Road and Bridge and the county commissioenrs.

Some homes, farms and ranches may receive pre-evacuation notifications this morning. These notices will go out to those most likely to be impacted by rising water in the Orchard area and west to the county line.

While there are currently no roads or bridges closed in Morgan County, there is a strong possibility some or all bridges will close today. Residents should plan accordingly.

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